Wanna cover a Tennessee scrimmage? That'll be 50 bucks, please ...

Didn't see this posted anywhere else, but this one threw me for a loop.

Reader's Digest version: Tennessee opened a spring scrimmage to the media, on the condition those outlets dropped $50 to attend a Vols coaching clinic.

More info in the link below:

http://hardknoxsports.com/ut/tennesssee/coaches-media-art-making-extra-shekels/

I could write forever on this, but I'll just sum it up by saying, "Yeah, not cool."

 

Eeeewww

 

You mean something happened at Tennessee that they can't blame on Lane Kiffin?

 

I wouldn't mind paying if they also slipped me a double sawbuck for attending their press conferences.

 

I'd more rather spend the $50 and declare myself a Pulitzer Prize finalist. ;D

 

Highly misrepresentative:
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OK, let's be clear on the whole $50 pay-per-view plan. The Vols' scrimmage was part of a coaches' clinic where UT's staff, a handful of NFL assistants and Southern football icon Vince Dooley spoke. Attendance at the scrimmage was included in the $50 fee.

Some media members were informed they could attend the coaching clinic — and scrimmage — for the going rate of $50.
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Michigan, for one, doesn't let media into its coaches clinic at all.

 

Not sure what you are saying is being misrepresented. Seems to me that the school was offering special access to folks willing to pay for it.

 

You mean like when an assistant coach goes over the gameplan with certain season ticket holders before the game?

 

The way the handled themselves at final Kiffin presser gave The Vols the impression they were dealing with a bunch of patsy's that could be walked over.

 

Unfortunately, for the most part, that's true.

 

Many schools have coaches' clinics. The ones I know only let people who are actual football coaches in, no media. Tennessee allowing media folk to pony up is actually a laxer policy than a lot of schools maintain, and this guy is complaining.

I mean, how many reports on how Defensive Coordinator explains tackling technique do you see in the paper? Zero. Do you think maybe there's a reason for this?

 

The scrimmage should be open to the media if it's open to the public, even if the public is paying. Just like game day.

If the school wants to have a closed scrimmage, that's fine.

Charging the media to attend is unethical. Just as it would be unethical for me to attend only if they promised me a free jersey or whatever.